July 2026 Newsletter

Strengthening HRDD Through Community Engagement

Persistent labor risks such as child labor, forced labor, and recruitment exploitation often have roots that lie outside the factory walls in the communities that supply chains depend on. Meaningful community engagement is critical in addressing these systemic issues, but is often missing in HRDD programs, despite its growing relevance in emerging regulations.

Our recent blog post explores how engaging with communities helps companies:

Understand local realities instead of relying on assumptions
Surface risks that audits alone can't detect
Build trust that leads to more honest worker feedback
Address root causes, not just symptoms

It is with this in mind that we are excited to introduce CIRCLE, SAI's community engagement approach that brings workers, families, youth, local leaders, and other community members together to better understand labor rights, identify shared challenges, and develop community-led solutions.

By creating trusted spaces for dialogue, learning, and collective action, CIRCLE strengthens worker voice beyond the factory walls and helps communities become active partners in advancing labor rights.

Learn more about CIRCLE

New SA8000:2026 Resource: Hours and Wages Expectations

SAI Notification 3 is now available in our SAAS Document Library, along with all normative documents, policies, procedures and guidelines for SA8000. It provides updated guidance for auditors on evaluating compliance with SA8000:2026 requirements related to wages and working hours.

➡️ Looking for SA8000:2026? Click here.

Remembering Ronald Sanabria

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our friend and partner, Ronald Sanabria. Ronald was a tireless advocate and bridge builder for sustainability and human rights — his influence reaching from his native Costa Rica to countless countries around the world. At ARI and SAI, we were fortunate to work closely with him in advancing the Living Wage & Income agenda through research, collaboration, and collective action. We extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones and to all those whose lives were touched by his dedication and kindness. Read the tribute to Ronald, where comments and memories about his impact may be shared.

Trainings

Introduction to Living Wages Online Training + Applied Learning Session

This online, on-demand training introduces key concepts of living wages and their importance for responsible business conduct. It can now be paired with a live, virtual Q&A session with SAI and Anker Research Institute experts to discuss a company’s due diligence approach related to living wages.

Working together, we will assess company needs and practical next steps to put knowledge into practice. The training and applied learning session are available in English and Spanish.

Learn More

SA8000:2026 Upgrade Training Requirement

This online, on-demand training is now available to SA8000 training certificate holders to stay current with updated requirements, terminology, and human rights due diligence principles.

This training course focuses on changes from SA8000:2014 to SA8000:2026.

Learn More